Fathers’
Engagement
Fatherhood Initiative
Mr. Thompson
512-438-4560
CRISIS
• a condition of instability or danger, as in
social, economic, political, or
international affairs, leading to a
decisive change = crisis
97 percent of Americans
believe that “fathers are just
as important as mothers for
the proper development of
children.”
The United States is the World leader in
fatherless families.
Source: National Fatherhood Initiative, 2005
3
The Psychological Framework Model
Beliefs
&
Values
Purpose
Behavior
&
Actions
Thoughts
Emotions
Dr. Clarence Bibby
New Thinking Innovations 4
Father Facts
• Infant with absent fathers were more likely to be born
with lower birth weights, to be preterm and small
gestational age.
• Regardless of race or ethnicity, the neonatal death
rate of father-absent infants was nearly four times
that of their counterparts with involved fathers.
Source “University of South Florida Health

6
Brain Matter
Lay The Track – Turn On/Off The Switches
7
Establish a Root System
•His role is to provide a (Cover)
safe place for his children to grow
•Self Appreciation
•Self Respect
•Character Building
•The Value of Community – Legacy
•Ownership – Accountability – Trust
•How To Respond To Life Challenges
•Life – Death
•Peer Pressure
8
Effective Father Programs
PREVENT
Fathers need to understand the importance of father
involvement and the negative consequences children
experience though father-loss and inadequate
fathering.
PREPARE
Fathers must have the knowledge, skills, and
financial resources available to adequately care for
their children.
ESTABLISH
Fathers may need guidance through the process of
establishing paternity.
INVOLVE
The Child Welfare Professional can facilitate the
engagement process by setting the stage for fathers
to effectively connect with their children.
9
Source; University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
A father has the capacity to change the trajectory
of his children’s view of the world.
10
September 10, 2014
Father Participation in Home Visiting Programs
What strategies are home visitors using to
engage fathers?
• 69% explain the benefits
of father participation to
mothers.
• 58% ask mothers how
they would like their
child’s father to be
involved.
• 51% explain the benefits
of father participation to
fathers.
When he is here he
wants to ask questions
and learn and [our
visitor] is excellent at
giving good answers.
– Mother, Dallas
Source: Mothers’ Survey on Father Participation in Home
Visiting Programs
11
Checking In Before Visit
– Identify what you wish to accomplish by
engaging the father.
• Service Plans
• Bring ideas to enhance value
• Be prepared to ask him what he wants or thinks
What strategies are MORE helpful in
increasing father participation?
• Scheduling home visits at a time when father is available
61.7% said Very Helpful
• Providing father with information about father involvement
60.4% said Very Helpful
• Providing father with information about the value of his.
51.3% said Very Helpful
• Inviting father to participate during doctor’s visits
49.4% said Very Helpful
Source: Mothers’ Attitudes Survey
13
Barriers
systems
Source: University of South Florida Health
14
Engagement Strategies
•Reflect on his past and current experiences
•Inquire some about his family dynamics;
including who raised him.
•What was the relationship like with his own
father (or stepfather and mother’s boyfriend)?
•Would you like your child’s life to be like - “the
same as yours or different?”
•What kind of father do you want to be?
Value The Venue of Engagement
15
Engagement Opportunities
•First contact between the agency and the non-resident
father is a unique opportunity to establish positive strengthbased relationship.
•A meaningful first contact between father and caseworker
can set the stage for frequent, ongoing, high-quality
interactions that ultimately benefit the child.
•A father’s feeling of low self-worth was a barrier to initiating
work with agencies (WIC).
•A father should feel comfortable, respected, or valued in
their dealing with the child welfare system.
•Connect with mother to ensure she understands his value to
her children
16
The Source, Spring 2009 Volume 19, No.1
Rationale Behind Questioning
• Let father know, the rationale for the
questioning
• How often do you find fun things to do
with your family?
• Tell me about a time your child witness
you handling a stressful situation without
things getting out of control.
• How often do you read to the your
spouse/partner?
•
Source Insoo Kim Berg Family Preservation
Disproportionality
Studies suggest that fathers’ involvement in permanency
planning has the potential to help reduce this
disproportionate number of children of color in foster care.
Source: ScienceDirect 18
(Children & Youth Services Review 30 (2008) 404-417
Outcomes
• Remind fathers of the likely outcomes for
their children when is engaged
– School age children of involved fathers
•
•
•
•
•
Are better academic achievers
Are more likely to perform better a standardize test
Are less likely to be involve with the judicial system
Are less likely to be a teen parent
Are more likely to view father as a role model
The Hole in the Soul
• The title implies a loss, a leak in someone that is
about to go flat or empty.
• It suggests that you must become aware of the
impact or damage that is about to occur.
• The longer we wait to take action to repair the hole
the greater that damage being done.
• The word “Soul” means a focus on something higher
than what we would think about.
• The idea is making the point of loss and how it makes
us incomplete in our relationships with our children.
• It suggest a conscience level of awareness to do what
is right.
Source: Dr. Clarence Bibby
20
Kenneth D. Thompson
Fatherhood Program
Specialist
512-438-4560
Kenneth.thompson@dfps.state.tx.us
21
Bibliography
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Baskerville, S. (2000). Fathers’ rights are fathers’ duties. Father magazine. Washington, DC: Howard University.
Blumenthal, K., & Weinberg, A. (1984). Establishing parent involvement in foster care agencies. New York: Child Welfare
League of America.
Bryan, M. (1998). Prodigal Fathers: Reuniting Fathers and Their Children. Three Rivers Press.
Brown, B.V., Michelson, E.A., Halle, T.G., & Moore, K.A. (2001). Fathers’ activities with their kids. Child Trends research brief.
Washington, DC: Child Trends.
Daniel, B., & Taylor, J. (2001). Engaging with fathers: Practice issues for health and social care. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley.
Department for Education and Skills. (2004). Engaging fathers: Involving parents, raising achievement. Department for
Education and Skills Publications.
Eberly, D. Confronting father absence: A guide to renewing fatherhood in your community. Gaithersburg, MD: National
Fatherhood Initiative.
Feeley, T.J. (2000). Low-income noncustodial fathers: A child advocate’s guide to helping them contribute to the support of
their children. National Association of Child Advocates Issue Brief.
Flatter, C., Herzog, J. M., Tyson, P.,& Ross, K. The father’s role. Sesame Workshop. (http://www.ctw.org/parents/advice)
Gurian, M. (1999). The good son. New York: Penguin Putnam.
Halle, T., Moore, K., Greene, A., & LeMenestrel, S. M. (1998). What policymakers need to know about fathers. Policy &
practice
Velazquez, C Sonia, Vincent, Stefanie, (2009). The Source, Promising Interventions for Strengthen Relationship Between NonResident Fathers and Their Children
The 2003 public policy of the National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families. Washington, DC: National
Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families.
Rycus, J. S., & Hughes, R. C. (1998). Field guide to Child Welfare. Washington, DC: CWLA Press.
Roulet, M. (no date available). Fatherhood programs and domestic violence. Center on Fathers, Families, and Public Policy.
Sonenstein, F, Malm, K., & Billing, A. (2002). Study of fathers’ involvement in permanency planning and Child Welfare
casework. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sylvester, K., & Reich, K. (2000). Restoring fathers to families and communities: Six steps for policymakers. Baltimore, MD:
The Social Policy Action Network.
Toth, J. F. & Xu, X. (1999). Ethnic and cultural diversity in fathers’ involvement: A racial/ethnic comparison of African
American, Hispanic, and White fathers. Youth & society, 31(1), 76-99.
Video: Evelyn. (2002). Starring Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, and Julianna Margulies. Produced by metro Goldwyn Mayer.
Wolfgang, L., & Wolfgang, L. D. (1999). Fathers in Prison: Reuniting Fathers and Their Children. Stone Creek Publications
Sarah Allen, MSC., & Kerry Daly, PHD.,(2008) The Effects of Father Involvement., University of Guelph
The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work –Engaging fathers
Dr Clarence Bibby , Family Learning Academy
•
Source Insoo Kim Berg Family Preservation
•
Tips from a father in prison; Carlin, M 2002
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
22